personavelvetroomdr | Cherry Blossom Evening Party

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Cherry Blossom Evening Party

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Throughout the week, Hamuko has messaged the vast majority of people she's met so far - and eagerly invited them to come meet at Inokashira Park starting at 5pm.

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You're invited to an evening sushi-party-turned-hanami-picnic-party! I've organized a bunch of cognitive chefs and performers to come to that park on the listed date/time. I've sent this to you because you were part of one of the three teams that helped with fighting Fatalis or rescuing Falcon and Wolf (or are Falcon and Wolf themselves!!) - we've all busted our butts a lot lately, so I think we deserve to have something nice together too! Of course, the party is open if you have any +1s or more. But before spring turns into summer, let's celebrate what we've all accomplished together!

.🌸˚𑁍.ೃ࿔*:･

The Venue...

Inokashira Park has a lovely river and trail and a phenomenal collection of cherry blossom trees. They're in the tail end of their season, filling the air with petals like snowfall.

In a large open area, Hamuko's arranged a ton of picnic blankets for people to claim and sit down on, though each blanket is HUGE to accommodate people sitting with as many people as they can handle! There are cozy pillows for sitting on too, stacked neatly to be borrowed.

There's a truly humongous row of tables laid out with an impressive amount of sushi presented. With a few trucks nearby, it seems there's a few sushi chefs making fresh platters of it to lay out through the night.

Similarly, there are food carts along the trails if you're not in the mood for sushi and would rather have some more traditional fare like dango, taiyaki, matcha, takoyaki... it's got the place lively and smelling fantastic! There's sake for the adults, and some cherry-blossomed themed mocktails for minors.

🌸𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ ˖🎐

Activities

There's a few set out activities besides just chowing down and socializing or walking along the lantern-lit trails under the cherry blossoms! Inoshikara Park has always had cute little swan pedal boats or regular rowboats for 'rental' (not that money matters here).

The area is SO pretty, perfect for taking pictures to have as keepsakes. There's even a booth to claim a yukata and privately change into it, if you want to go the extra mile!

Finally, in lieu of a traditional band or modern concert, Hamuko has picked out a large set of speakers connected to a small karaoke stage and screen - menace the party with your sing-along! Get a little boost to your Guts!!

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"...No, they didn't know," Hamuko admitted quietly. "There was... a little time I had, before I fell asleep for good. No one else in SEES remembered exactly, but I did... I spent time with my friends, saw them off for the year, wished them well. I was lucky to be able to stay awake long enough to say goodbye, in a way."

It's a fascinating little deal, isn't it?

They both made sacrifices. Where she died physically with all memories intact, some were denied the opportunity to learn the truth; the person closest to his heart doesn't even know who he is or how he existed as a whole.

"An year...against a lifetime," he murmured- eyebrows drawn together as he finds himself spiralling for a moment. He doesn’t really dwell on her answer right away. Maybe he can’t. Maybe he's already forgetting he even asked. All he does is let out the faintest sound—half-breath, half-laugh—and burrow further into the blanket cocoon, like he’s trying to hide from the whole night.

"...It must’ve hurt."

He sighs. "Sorry. I’m so... so very drunk. I think my brain just fell out. Like I said- it's not really appropriate for you to see me like this...ah man."

"In a way, you're more honest," Hamuko said softly, gently patting his fluffy hair. "I don't mind if you're sad. I think it's kind of you to mourn for me and for my friends."

He's struggling with the sadness, though... did he usually run away from it? Or was the depressant of the alcohol that strong on him?

"I'm sure that it probably did hurt them, to lose me... but they are all incredible people. I know they'll do well, go on to live rich lives. Hey, maybe if you go home, I can ask you to look a few people up - Igor bringing me here means I might actually get to see if they've ever been in the newspapers or what they've posted about online."

More...honest?

Maruki finally raised his head a little when he felt her hand on his hair. He pulled back a little, unsure about the physical touch despite the fact that he knew Hamuko meant it as a comforting gesture.

It's been a while since he's felt comforted in general- with his heart wrapped in thorns that leave nothing but the wake of scars and memories threatening to surface with the alcohol. He went overboard again.

"That...that is feasible but like- mine is only one of such universes where things could have ended both good or bad, you know?" He would be fishing out his pocket journal and write that little detail down but really he can barely hold a pen in his hand. Or argue about the inevitably of how rich lives don't hold ground in their current reality but he doesn't want to be a buzzkill.

"I suppose it will put your mind at ease too. Don't think many get the chance to even make that request."

How would he communicate all that though?

That question is left hanging in his head still because the sentence uttered to him prior from everything else still rings in his head.

In a way, you're more honest.

Maruki suddenly raised an index, a little unstable as his eyelids threatened to close. "...why did you say that?" He asks and proceeds to give zero context about what he's talking about.

Benefits of drinking if you will.

"...Which part? That my friends would probably live good lives? Or not minding if you're sad?"

She'd rambled a little bit, oops.

"I think it's normal to be sad, at times - if you don't let yourself feel down, then the happiness feels less meaningful."

"No no, that-" he cuts himself off with a light chuckle. "I am a councillor. I understand perfectly well what you are trying to say." Really if he were any more aware he would argue how he could dispel that the idea of being in pain and emotional distress only complicated things in the long run but that aside...it was something else.

"You said- you're more honest."

"Do I...give you an impression of a liar, Hamuko-san?" He keeps his voice even, gentle even but the quirk on his brow gives away the tension in his body since he's heard that sentence. That is a really strange thing to say, is it not?

"Oh! Well... it takes one to know one," Hamuko answered plainly, tapping her cheek and smiling. "I don't think you're malicious or anything. But you're like me... you lie with a smile, assuring that nothing's wrong. Right?"

Maruki’s brows knit together at Hamuko’s reply, her words settling in his chest with a peculiar weight—not heavy, exactly, but quietly piercing. It takes one to know one. A truth passed gently, like a hand reaching out in the dark, and somehow that made it all the more potent.

His expression softened, the puppy-dog sorrow now touched with something more—understanding. He looked at her the way one might look at a reflection in glass, fogged just enough to obscure the fine details, but still undeniably familiar.

"...There’s nothing wrong. Right now, anyway," he said, voice quiet, almost matter-of-fact. "It could always be worse, so I try to be grateful- for what I have, and what I can do. Not many are blessed with my power."

The words didn’t come as a defense, but as a practiced mantra, one that had been said too many times in private to keep hurting when spoken aloud. Still, the pain hadn’t vanished—it had simply been buried under layers of duty, of rationality, of wine-soaked acceptance.

He sighed, not frustrated but tired, and pressed his hand briefly to his forehead as if to will away the haze. "That said... I won’t deny it. We all lie. To ourselves, to others."

His hand fell back to his lap, and he let himself really look at her—at the girl who had once died to save the world, who still smiled as if her burdens weren’t carved into her bones.

"It causes cognitive dissonance," he continued, blinking through the fog. “I suppose you already know that. You carry it like someone who's slowly making peace with being both a symbol and a person. That’s not easy."

And despite all that he finally allowed his legs to sink again as he swings into a criss cross position- straightens up, turning to Hamuko despite smelling of sake. He turned toward Hamuko again, expression warmer now, tinged with concern beneath the smile he wore like habit.

"What’s someone who sacrificed her life for the entire world have to hide, anyway?" he asked and the tone he held wasn't exactly sarcastic but the sentence concealed another right underneath.

"I have some things, some thoughts. But I think you're too tipsy right now - I promise we can talk when you're sober again. I'll be honest, too - it's only fair," she encouraged gently, relaxing a little where she sat, leaning on a hand.

"Somewhere I can open up without worrying other people. We'll go for lunch or something?"

Maruki’s gaze lingered on Hamuko, steady despite the haze dulling the edges of his awareness. She wasn’t simply a curiosity to him—he watched her the way he might observe a patient baring the first vulnerable truths of a therapy session, not out of scrutiny, but deep attentiveness.

When she offered him a raincheck—kindly, without rejection, just the soft reassurance that she would share with him, but not like this—he blinked slowly. Something clicked.

Oh.

The realization landed like a stone in his stomach: the warmth in his face, the blur in his mind, the way his tongue clumsily wove through reflections that should have been clearer. The sake. Right. Of course.

"...Ah," he murmured, a little dazed. "Yeah. That’s—fair."

He sat up straighter for a beat, as if trying to shake off the sluggishness in his limbs by sheer will, only to feel his body reminding him that alcohol doesn’t work that way. His shoulders drooped again in gentle defeat. "I always go overboard with it. It’s stupid. Even when I know better."

Still, he didn’t want to leave things hanging in that murky, uncomfortable air. He reached instinctively toward his pocket, habit pulling his fingers toward where he usually kept his notebook—but he came up empty. No coat. No journal. Of course. That's in one of his actual coats...welp he will just have to write on hi sphone's notes app when it decides to be merciful. And if he can even type on that screen.

Edited 2025-05-10 01:26 (UTC)

Maruki blinked once, then let out another breath, softer this time, as his hand fell to the side and brushed against the small wrapped parcel he'd nearly forgotten.

"Oh—wait." He perked up slightly, rummaging beside him before presenting a neatly packed portion of takoyaki in a warm little box, the aroma still faintly clinging to it. "I completely forgot about this."

He offered it out to her, both sheepish and sincere. "I remembered last time—I didn’t even offer you any. After...y’know. Spoiling your fabric. I’m guessing you’ve probably already eaten this a dozen times by now, considering money doesn’t matter here and you hired the chefs but—still."

His tone softened, the offering now more than just food—it was a gesture, a balm, a thread of connection he could still offer even in this state. “Consider it a small token of appreciation. For humoring me. For being honest."

And finally, like a worn-out thread at the end of a long day, he slumped a little, his posture folding inward as the alcohol began pulling him further into rest. His eyes, heavy-lidded but still warm, flickered toward her one last time.

"I’ll take you up on that lunch," he murmured, voice quieter now. "When I’m not... a disaster."

"Of course! Thank you, Maruki-san," Hamuko grinned, taking a piece and eating it in one bite. "Mm! Hmm mm," she hummed in a tone that almost sounded like 'hold on', with the cadence - she rummaged into the inside of her obi, pulling out a small satchel.

That satchel was made from the same cloth that he'd gotten sauce all over, that day. It made for a very cute bag, with the shiny gold ribbon to tie it closed.

"Ah hah. Two gifts! I can't believe I almost forgot," she laughed a bit, opening up the satchel and - pulling out an identical one, cut from the same cloth, tied with a similar gold ribbon. She passed that, and then plucked out the other gift - the wish token.

"The bag is from me - I made us matching ones! And here's a token - Igor gave these to be distributed to everyone that helped with Fatalis. It's not as 'strong' as the Christmas ones, whatever that means? But it's a nice gesture!"

Maruki blinked slowly as Hamuko reached into her obi, his tired eyes catching the fluid motion with a distant sort of curiosity. That small gesture—elegant, practiced—stirred something dormant in the fog of his mind.

Ah...

A flash of memory cut through the haze like a knife through old silk. Shibusawa. Five years ago. The taste of sake was sharper then, laced with pain and shared regret. To mourn the death of a dream—his research, his work, laughed out of academic halls.
Maruki had begun to break apart in ways that never fully healed.

He rubbed at his eyes, trying to scrub away both the alcohol and the memory.

And then, she placed the gifts in his lap.

The small satchel made from that same stained cloth—and yet… it was lovely. Thoughtful. Reborn. Its golden ribbon shimmered faintly in the low light, and when she passed the second, an identical one for herself, his heart gave a quiet, involuntary tug.

Two matching bags.

His lips parted, a little breath catching in his throat.

"You... really made this? Even after I ruined the fabric?" he asked softly, brushing his thumb along the stitching. "You had enough to make two... And it looks wonderful."

Warmth spread through his chest, the kind that didn’t come from alcohol. He wasn’t just touched—he was genuinely moved. His fingers curled gently around the satchel, as if afraid it might slip away if he held it too carelessly.

Then came the second gift. A small token—simple, but meaningful. He accepted it carefully, gazing down at the object in his palm.

A memento from the fight with Fatalis.

His brows furrowed slightly, his mind stirring again despite the haze. The symbolism wasn’t lost on him—but something about this arrangement nagged at the edges of his mind.

"Hmm..." he said slowly, eyes flickering back to her. "I see." Igor gave these to be distributed. Then why isn't he getting this from Igor? He turned the token over between his fingers. And if it wasn't a reward given by the velvet attendants or otherwise, then someone else pitched the idea in. Maybe Igor would listen to her, given her positive outlook.
Yet still, there was the main leader of the whole crusade.

"Drake..." he murmured to himself quietly and really it would be a surprise if Hamuko heard him at all.

His voice was lower, quiet, and flat in a way that betrayed his distaste. Of course. That Ren.

He wasn't sure how he was involved yet, just a feeling.

He looked down at the token again, lips pressing together as he tucked it away in the gifted satchel with a care that contrasted the tension just beneath his skin.

"Thank you, Hamuko-san," he said at last, softer now, steadied. "Really. These mean more than you probably know. And the bag—" he paused, fingers brushing over the gold ribbon again. "I’m going to keep this close. I’ll take good care of it."

There was no trace of his earlier bitterness now. Just genuine gratitude, and a quiet appreciation for the person in front of him.

"Matching bags...huh,” he murmured, a faint smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. "I haven’t had something like that since my school days. It’s nice."

Aww... the way Maruki's face melted into such genuine gratitude warmed Hamuko's heart, too. She could practically feel the thrum of their bond strengthening, the mutual fondness and trust building up.

He really was more honest like this. She never expected him to glow this happily from a gift.

"I thought it was special, you know? Made from the fabric that brought us into working and chatting together for the first time! I thought I'd make them long enough to put glasses in, in case you wanted to use it for that - but they're great for things like change or keeping these little token trinkets too!"

Edited 2025-05-12 18:02 (UTC)

Oh he remembered recieving gifts occasionally from Akira-kun as well- still its been a while since he's shared anything personal beyond the professional relationship he had with his patients.

This was different. Hamuko was a kind soul.

"I usually carry a small journal with me so this will be good for that," he remarked. He moved the satchel over his shoulder- letting the strap hang over his loose yukata. "Hah...now the Takoyaki feels a bit cheap."

And he finished most of his snacks with Zenkichi earlier. Ah well.

"I will figure something out."

"Don't worry about that! Friends don't keep tally," Hamuko happily chirped back, beaming in delight. "And besides - we both ended up getting each other a gift that reminds us of where we met! I think that's cute!"

"Friends, huh?"

Maruki matched her smile with his own. "I still don't get...why. When you call us that," he chuckles. She didn't want to stay away from him and if she didn't agree with his ideals...what was her goal of getting close? Curiosity? Or was he a little too pensive with the alcohol?

"I did think eventually that it was rude of me to not even offer my takoyaki as an apology for ruining the fabric," he confesses instead. "So it's not about tally. I guess um I am-" he shakes his head as he rubs his hand before glancing down at the satchel now easily resting on his lap. Compensating? Apologising again? Pleasing?

He can't find the right words.

Why is it so hard for him to choose a word and stick with it without sounding nervous and weird?
Usually he flew right through- right. His head swims. The dozen glasses.

"You're worrying a little too much, if you ask me! Overthinking. It just feels good to do something nice for someone, right?"

Was he the kind of person who needed everything to have a deeper meaning, a deeper reason? If it was then that might be part of why he feels so... compelled to change things. If not, then maybe it's a sense of guilt he has a hard time shaking?

She won't pry too hard while he's drunk.

"What kind of place should we go out to lunch for? I know a couple spots in Iwatodai, but I'm always down to try new places."

Sure. If that's how she describes it.

Something nice. Something normal. He really did not anticipate a gift coming his way.

He thought real hard on Hamuko’s question and for a moment he really pondered. Brow furrowing as he considered his choice. He knew a few spots as well, despite being all too busy with his thesis but...

"I haven't seen much of Iwatodai," he remarks. "Though its actually surprising close to Odaiba actually- from what I have seen."

Snce cognition treats things differently, he won't be able to see his palace from there, huh?

"Once the weather's a little warmer I can show you around some of the places I visit."

"That'll be nice! It's been a lot of fun exploring new places and times. If you like seafood, there's a pretty nice place called Wakatsu at the strip mall - the strip mall is where some of the few non-chain restaurants are! The beef bowls and ramen are pretty good too!"

"I don't partial like it but, its sustainable. I like to experiment as well," Takuto remarked at the idea of seafood- swaying to her direction before stopping and instead lean forward by resting his chin on his palm. "And beef bowls...ramen. I might skip breakfast and past dinner to save enough for the bill-! And for my appetite! Haha!"

Alas, drunk as he was he had also became increasingly aware of his monetary conditions.

~~Her birthday was close too...maybe he could go shopping.~~

"Money doesn't matter here, thankfully! If it did, hah, no way would I have managed to get this party together!"

"Oh."

He blinks at her. Confused for a moment before the recognition physically showed on his face.

"Good for me I suppose," he jokes easily. "More food for me without feeling guilty."

"Exactly! More food, more fun, more hobbies that are free to pick up all of a sudden...!"

"Was the bag a new hobby or-?" He gestured vaguely at the satchel in his grasp.

Cherry Blossom Evening Party

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2/2 (maybe you can give him the wish token here maybe?)

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(1/2) going to slowly wrap up from here i feel

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